The whipworm is one of the four most common intestinal parasites of dogs. Whipworms reside in the cecum, which is inside your dog's body where the small intestine and large intestine meet. Dogs become infected with whipworms by swallowing infective whipworm eggs in soil or other substances that may contain dog feces.
Where do whipworms come from?
Whipworm infection is caused by ingesting eggs. This can happen when hands or fingers that have contaminated dirt on them are put in the mouth or by consuming vegetables or fruits that have not been carefully cooked, washed or peeled. People infected with whipworm can suffer light or heavy infections.
Can you see whipworms in dog poop?
A whipworm looks like a short string with one fat end. They look like a whip. However, you may notice other symptoms — like diarrhea — before seeing any signs of whipworms in dog poop.
Are whipworms in dogs contagious?
Unlike some other common intestinal parasites in dogs, whipworms cannot be transmitted via other species/hosts or between mother and offspring before birth or during nursing. Infection does not require direct contact with another dog.
What are symptoms of whipworms in dogs?
Whipworm infection results in watery, bloody diarrhea, weight loss, and general debilitation. Of all the intestinal parasites found in dogs, whipworms cause the most disease.
